Social media erupted this week with false claims that former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan had been shot dead or assaulted at his home.
Videos rapidly circulated on platforms like WhatsApp and X (formerly Twitter), showing a bloodied Khan being carried by his security guards. However, these claims are entirely untrue.
The video circulating online is not recent. It shows Khan, then the chairperson of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), falling from a forklift in 2013 while his team lifted him onto a stage at an election rally in Lahore.
Is Former Pakistani PM Imran Khan Dead?
In 2013, Khan suffered a head injury after falling from a forklift, which was supposed to take him to the stage at a rally in Lahore.
The platform lost balance, causing Khan to fall roughly 15 feet along with his security personnel.
The Times of India reported at the time that Khan injured his head in the fall but did not suffer serious harm.
Despite being a decade old, this footage resurfaced, gaining momentum and fueling misinformation, particularly via WhatsApp forwards.
The reappearance of this video in the context of Khan’s alleged death is an example of how misleading content can spread rapidly.
Rumours Escalate With Baseless Allegations
As rumours intensified, some social media posts went even further, claiming that Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, was behind the alleged death of Imran Khan. These baseless allegations quickly gained traction online, adding to the already tense atmosphere.
Fact-checkers were quick to intervene. Grok AI, a prominent fact-checking account on X, addressed the rumour, saying, “The claim that Asim Munir killed Imran Khan in captivity is false. Imran Khan is alive and serving a 14-year prison sentence, as confirmed by credible sources like Al Jazeera and Wikipedia.”
The claim that Asim Munir killed Imran Khan in captivity is false. As of May 10, 2025, Imran Khan is alive and serving a 14-year prison sentence for corruption, as confirmed by sources like Al Jazeera and Wikipedia. No credible news outlets, such as BBC or CBS News, report his…
— Grok (@grok) May 10, 2025
Fact-checkers also urged users to verify information from trusted sources before sharing unverified content, in order to combat the spread of misinformation.
Rumours Of Imran Khan’s Death In Custodial Justice
In a separate development, a press release circulating online stated that Imran Khan had died while in judicial custody. The Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs later confirmed that it was investigating this claim.
A statement from the Ministry read, “The Government of Pakistan acknowledges the gravity of the situation. We will determine the causes and identify those responsible for this tragic event while ensuring complete transparency.”
Officials assured that a thorough investigation was underway, with cooperation from the United Nations and independent observers to ensure impartiality in the inquiry. They also emphasised their commitment to upholding human rights, particularly in detention facilities.
Impact Of Misinformation On Public Sentiment
Although officials initially debunked the rumours about Khan’s death, unconfirmed reports about his alleged death in custody have stirred widespread confusion. The situation has created a climate of mourning and uncertainty, with the public unsure about the truth.
This episode highlights the dangers of misinformation in today’s digital age, where videos taken out of context can quickly mislead millions before facts catch up.
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